Close to two months away dealing with business for Shiloh, his label, and personal affairs like marrying Cynthia and a honeymoon. Sheridan felt a surge of relief to be in his own house. Cynthia was already in her room putting away clothes, and items from the trip. The mere thought of his wife allowed him to travel down the metaphysical link between them, and see what she was doing. Sheridan was still getting use to this bond they shared now. Just like they practiced many times before. Sheridan visualized a door and shut it. Sealing it tight for him not to bother his wife and her affairs.

Being distracted by the momentary invasion of privacy that he accidentally participated in on spying on his Cynthia. Sheridan didn't noticed Aria sitting on the couch. Sheridan wanted to keep it a surprise when they arrived back, but Cynthia won out and called ahead. Letting the third of their party know that they were going to be home this night. Smiling, still glowing from the wedding and Cynthia agreeing to take the first two marks. Sheridan didn't notice the heavy weight in the air. Until he sat next to her on the couch and studied Aria's face. Coming down from cloud nine a little Sheridan smiled with a kiss on the cheek. “I missed you Aria. I it wasn't too boring while I was gone.”

Aria was nervous and for good reason. Talking to Sheridan on the phone had been a real metaphorical kick in the guts. Him finding out about Cameron and the baby had lead to a lot of tears and him being very angry at her. She had moved out of their joint house and over to the academy, taking everything of hers with her so she wouldn't need to come back here. But when Cynthia said they were coming home Aria had to see him. She loved Sheridan in a way that hurt when he wasn't around. An intensity she had never known before.

But she wasn't alone. A three month old child was on her lap as she waited for him in what was once their living room. There was not a corner in his room where he hadn't taken either her body or her blood and it made her almost blush as Mariah's innocent eyes looked around but didn't see the moments like Aria did. She felt Sheridan before she saw him. not a supernatural thing, just because she was all to aware of everything right now.

She didn't rise when he came in but she wished her heart would stop pounding that hard in her chest. Out of love and fear, Aria truly felt like a deer in headlights. She raised her cheek to his kiss, eyes closing as his lips pressed against her. She adjusted mariah on her lap and looked at Sheridan. He looked so untouched by everything that had been happening these past few months. Aria however was evolved. Almost three months pregnant, her hair darker and straightened then Sheridan would remember, owned her own place... Aria was not the same girl he had left behind.

"Sheridan..." she said and had to stop because she didn't know what she was going to say. "Last time we spoke you cursed my name, wanted Cameron dead and I ended up crying on this very couch for hours alone because you weren't happy with me having another mans baby. Which you are entitled to feel." she said quickly. "But it really hurt me. So no, the past couple of months have not be boring. I have been trying to start my own life without you."

Sheridan thought they could avoid this conversation and the whole baby nonsense for a little longer. He thought Aria being here was a good sign. That they might be able to save their relationship.To kiss and make up, to hug and to hold each other. Showing Aria that the anger he felt the night she called to inform him of the news of the baby. Was under control.That might not be the case. Sheridan sat up a little straighter and turned toward Aria to give her his full attention. The last of the happy glow in walked in with disappearing as Aria spoke.

If Sheridan was alive was sure his heart might have stopped. Sheridan felt teribble for the tears Aria shed, and what she put her though. His rage at the time took the better of him and only with the help of Cynthia did Sheridan not make it worse. By not catching the next flight, the next night and fulfil his threat on killing Cameron. Now here was the product of his rage. The conquence of his actions. Sheridna was losing Aria. His mage, his pomme de sang, his lover, and friend. In that moment Sheridan thought there was some way to reverse the damage. Some way to change Aria's mind, but in the end none idea came to mind. None that would work or due Aria any justice. The silence between them grew longer. The only sound was that of the baby in Aria's lap.(Who's baby it was Sheridan was itching to find out)

Sheridan Stood up not wasting any enegry on a blank face. instead showing Aria how hurt, and sad he was. Not to use it against her, but to show she meant a hell of a lot to him. Aria was more then great sex, or eye candy on his arm. " I know it won't change your mind, but i am sorry for my actions, and the pain i caused you, Aria." Sheridan said. Starting to pace in front of the couch. "The thought of you having another's child did cross my mind. I didn't think it was impossible. I thought you would want a child somewhere down the road, but to find out that Camedon got you pregnant. He was suppose to be a Toy. Nothing Serious." Sheridan said in a rush. Sheridan stopped himself before he would say something he would regret or for his voice to rise. Sheridan looked at Aria with hurtfilled eyes and decided he couldn't let her go without a fight. Not one that would come to blows with Camedon. No matter how much of an good idea that sounded in his head.

Sheridan's voice was quiet as he broke the silence, "What would you say if i told you i found someone to replace you as my pomme de sang. For us to take our relationship to the next level." Sheridan paused to let it sink in. "Would you try it.... for us." Sheridan knew it was a poor attempt to try to keep Aria.Here in his life and arms.Even if it was the truth.Cynthia and Sheridan did bring home four foxes, and one that got a pass from both of Cynthia and Sheridan to be his Pomme

"Cameron still isn't my boyfriend Sheridan.' Aria told him although those lines were blurring more and more every time they were together. All they needed to do was someone had to say they weren't interested in seeing other people. Sria certainly wasn't interested in seeing other people except Sheridan. Sheridan would always be her exception to every rule. She kinda hated that the vampire had such a pull on her. "We are raising the baby together as friends" Aria hoped to comfort him.

"I know your sorry. That is why I am here tonight. But I can't just stop everything for you Sheridan. Other people depend on me now." The baby on her lap for example who understood this was something serious going on and was looking between Sheridan and Aria with a wavering lip of concern. Aria gently pat her back to try and keep her calm. A crying child will make everything worse. "I would have moved out anyway Sheridan. The academy is my priority and it needs all of my attention." She reminded him. Getting pregnant was not the only thing that made her leave.

Aria considered his words carefully before she answered. "What kind of relationship do you mean?" she asked him, not telling Sheridan that it did hurt that she had been replaced so quickly but what could she expect? She hushed mariah and changed her posture a little on her lap. "I would need time to think about it Sheridan. This is bigger then us now. I need to be a role model to these kids. I can't be living in servitude for you Sheridan. I need to show them that being different doesn't automatically mean depending on a vampire to make life happen." She tried explaining all of this on the phone before but figured the news of her pregnancy would have forced everything out of his mind

Relief flooded Sheridan at the news that Cameron and Aria were not official together. Sheridan thought he was losing Aria to another man. Aria was simply leaving for her dreams, what she wanted. This was something Sheridan could work with. Sheridan and Aria had better chances of reuniting, and plain seeing each other then if she was together with Cameron. The thought of never touching, or holding Aria to his body, not able to talk, joke, and whisper private naughty things together was too much for Sheridan to think about.

“And I'm not asking you to Aria. I know how important this school is to you and the students that come with it.” Sheridan replied. His eyes darted toward the baby on Aria's lap, and finally understanding why the baby was here. Sheridan nodded in understanding when Aria talked about the school being her top priority. Again Sheridan knew this day would come the moment the she told him about the school idea. He understood about priorities and projects that were important to him. Sheridan held no grudges only the best of wishes for Aria and the school.

“I want an relationship that not just about blood and great, amazing sex or you being my arm candy. I want you to be my left hand. Just as Cynthia's my right. I thought making you something more than my Pomme de Sang would prove to that to you.” As Sheridan spoke. He moved across the living room and knelt on both knees in front of Aria. Sheridan didn't know how the baby would react to him. So far it hasn't cried at his presence, but he still played it safe by keeping his distance but was still close enough that he could reach Aria.

...to Seattle, with all its thousand contradictions. A city of silicon dreams and bloody nightmares. Ruled by a child queen with diamond-tipped fangs, occupied by artists and shapeshifters, computer programmers and ancient vampires, college students and creatures of myth. Living (and unliving) together and once the sun goes down it's...

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